Hi To get the best result with a Taboo your source need to output 2.5V or more IMO. I use a CSP preamp to drive the Taboo. I get the best dynamics and weight with the preamp in the chain. I use two sources, a Noje Tjoeb CDP (2.5V rms) for upsampled sound and a HK DVD-31 (2V rms) for non-upsampled sound. :)

Thanks for the answer Sam. But I specificaly would like to know if anybody has hooked his dac1 up directly to the Taboo, and what the results were. The dac1 has a volume pot, so I was wondering how this sounds directly into the Taboo.

I have a DAC1, but not a TABOO. Just in regard to Sams comment, the DAC1 has a ton of calibration options to boost or attenuate output and it's default settings are already on the high side into my ZBox. I reckon it might well reach 2.5V.

I drive the taboo with the benchmark dac1. The dac 1 was an expensive fix for my below par changer source, but I figured it could be one of a series of improvements. My speakers are not very efficient (Soliloquy 5.0's). The combination of the dac1/taboo has transfromed the sound of the speakers - crystallizing the magic of music in my listening room. Unfortunately I have a very slow sub woofer (mastiff reference) with a slight hum that has forced me to shut it down exposing my lack of bass.